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Electric & Magnetic FieldsActivity for Kids
Simple Motor DIY
- Duration: 20 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $0 to $10
Use a magnetic field to make a simple motor!
Material List
- 1AA Battery
- 1Pack Neodymium Disc Magnets
- 1Copper Wire (about 20 cm)
Instructions
- 1Stack the magnets on the negative side of the battery (flat side) and place it on the table.
- 2Bend the copper wire into a heart shape.
- 3Place the point of the heart on the positive end of the battery.
- 4Adjust it so that the ends of the wire lightly touch the magnets.
- 5Watch it spin!
- 6Once you get the hang of it try other shapes!
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How It Works
The electric current from the battery flows through the wire, generating a magnetic field. The field from the magnets interacts with the magnetic field from the wire. This applies a force on the wire which causes it to move. Scientists call this design a homopolar motor.
Check out the Full Lesson on Electric & Magnetic Fields
In this lesson, we learn that:
- Forces acting at a distance can be explained by electric & magnetic fields.
- Forces from electric and magnetic fields can be either attractive or repulsive.
- The strength of the force depends on factors like distance or the amount of charge.
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